KAU develops new bacteria to control fungal

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 2 (UNI) Kerala Agriculture University (KAU) has developed a sophisticated technique capable of effectively checking and controlling almost all the fungal and bacterial diseases found on important crops cultivated in Kerala.

Addressing a news conference here today, KAU Associate Director Arthur Jacob said a four-member scientist team in the University had developed the technique with the proper use of ''Pseudomonas Flurence, P-1,'' a bacteria found in the Western Ghat forests and ''Trichoderma,'' a mixed fungal also found in the region.

Mr Jacob claimed that this technique has the ability to eat the fungus and bacteria that destroys crops, and thereby effectively checks the dreaded ''foot rot'' disease found on pepper and ''rot'' diseases commonly seen on ginger, cardamom, vanilla, betel leaves and vegetables.

Pointing out the serious environmental issues and the presence of toxic contents on agricultural products due to the use of chemical pesticides, he said the new invention would reduce the environmental pollution and also act as a blessing to the organic cultivation, which was against the use of chemical fertilisers.

The scientists, including Dr P Siva Prasad, Dr Meena Kumary, Dr P J Joseph and Dr Vijayan took 15 years of research to get the final product ''Pseudomonas-P1,'' which would effectively check the bacteria diseases on crops and also to improve its productivity, he added.

Stating that the Central Insecticide Board's (CIB) permission was required for production and distribution of the bacteria, Mr Jacob said the KAU had made an agreement with 12 companies regarding its marketing possibilities.

Since about Rs 20 lakh was required for the Toxicological study, the whole expense in this regard would be taken by these companies.

Accordingly, the KAU would transfer the technology to the companies and in turn they would give one per cent of the total turnover to the university, he informed.

Kerala Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran would formally hand over the technology to the companies on December four at the Agriculture University in Vellayani, he added.

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